This route guide actually covers more than just the Great Central Way, and includes some towpaths, and other traffic-free paths, to extend the route to 11.7 miles, ending in Cossington. It makes for a gorgeous, almost entirely traffic-free day out.
Great Central Way cycle route overall rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
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Surface on the Great Central Way
The entire route has a sealed surface, mostly tar, but with sections of concrete. It is rideable all year round.
Refreshments
There are ample cafés and pubs along the route, though they become less frequent after Abbey Park.
Bikes
You can use any standard bike on the route. You can ride trikes and cargo bikes on the Great Central Way itself, but those bikes may struggle along the towpath sections.
Toilets
You will find several places with toilets along the way.
Hilliness
This is a flat route, with no serious climbs.
Safety from traffic
The entire route isn’t traffic-free, and there’s about half a mile on-road cycling at the end. There are also some roads to cross, a few of which can be busy.
The grading system I use is explained here.
Points of Interest
Consider visiting the National Space Centre, or the King Richard the Third Visitor Centre.
Barriers
I’m not aware of any barriers along the route, but in places the towpath can be narrow.
Cycle Hire
You can hire ebikes from eBike Centres.
Child friendliness
The Great Central Way itself is very good for even young kids. However, much of this route is alongside water, so isn’t suitable for younger kids.
When cycling the route with kids, ensure there’s at least one competent adult swimmer along.
Social safety
Parts of the route can be very isolated, and especially in winter there will be few people about.
Weather forecast for the Great Central Way
What the Great Central Way looks like
Getting to the Great Central Way
The nearest train station to the start is Narborough. As ever, read my Bikes On Trains guide for useful and helpful tips for taking your bike on the train.
Parking near the Great Central Way
There’s some on-road parking on Needham Aves, Leicester, LE2 9JL.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes that can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle.
Great Central Way route interactive map
You can download the GPX file from the map below, simply by clicking the GPX button. Hovering over the elevation profile will show the elevation for that point along the route, in both metres and feet. It will also show the gradient.
If viewing the map on your phone, you will also see a Find Me, Navigate and Record Route button, below the map. WillCycle Supporters can enjoy voice turn-by-turn navigation of the route.
And finally…
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